The government, through the national social protection strategy, has pledged to support the disabled by intensifying their integration into social and economic plans, policies and programs, a top official has said.

Vedaste Hakizimana, a project analyst at the Ministry of Local Government, said that the first step taken was to identify People Living with Disabilities (PLWDs) countrywide.

"This will give us an appropriate work plan since we shall be able to plan effectively according to the findings of our survey,” Hakizimana said in an exclusive interview.

A survey conducted by the ministry indicates that there are 522,856 persons in the country with disabilities.

"We shall also base on the available data to determine or plan for programs which include having special training for teachers, especially in vocational training programs to be able to teach the disabled,” he said.

Pierre Claver Rwaka, who represents PLWDs in parliament, welcomed the move, saying it would help solve some of the challenges they face.

"As public buildings are being constructed in respect to the law, the private sector has been reluctant, yet they are putting up commercial structures where all people will need to access services,” Rwaka explained.

He called upon the government to closely watch the implementation of the law against construction of buildings without provisions for people with disabilities.

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